Fire Department · Career
Clearwater Fire & Rescue
Clearwater, FL · Pinellas County
“To Proudly Serve Our Community”
Clearwater Fire & Rescue is hiring a Fire Cadet with an entry salary of $28.84/hr. Deadline: July 23, 2026.
Clearwater Fire & Rescue offers annual salaries of $70,720 for Fire Medics and $59,280 for EMT/Firefighters. Apply by July 23 with NTN registration, CPAT, and written exam results.
Clearwater Fire & Rescue serves the City of Clearwater, the seat of Pinellas County on Florida's Gulf Coast and one of the three principal cities of the Tampa Bay area. The department covers roughly 40.7 square miles of mainland and barrier-island beach communities, including the perennially top-rated Clearwater Beach, and protects a population of about 117,000 in a downtown undergoing major redevelopment.
The department operates eight fire stations staffed by more than 200 personnel, fielding eight engine companies, two truck/tower companies, five EMS/rescue companies, two marine units, and a squad. It is organized into Fire Administration, Emergency Management, Fire Prevention Services, Fire Operations, Health and Safety, and Clearwater Beach Patrol.
Clearwater is a modern, all-hazards fire and advanced-life-support (ALS) agency. Its personnel provide both fire suppression and EMS, and specialized teams handle marine response, technical rescue, dive operations, and other special operations. Pinellas County contracts with the city to deliver emergency medical services on its behalf.
The department carries a Class 1 ISO Public Protection Classification, operates on a budget of more than $37 million, and responds to over 45,000 service and emergency requests each year while conducting more than 10,000 fire and life-safety code reviews annually.
MissionTo advocate and sustain a leading emergency service organization with a focus on quality, cost effectiveness, and all-hazard mitigation that exceeds our customer's expectation.
Clearwater Fire & Rescue hires through the National Testing Network, and candidates begin by taking an entry-level written exam (practice tests are available at fireteamtest.com) and passing the CPAT physical ability test. Scores are forwarded to the department, and those who pass are placed on an eligibility list used for hiring.
Applications are submitted through the City of Clearwater's careers portal at myclearwater.com, with valid Florida firefighter and paramedic certifications attached. The department has recently accepted Firefighter/Paramedic (Fire Medic) applications; check the Join Clearwater Fire & Rescue page for current openings and requirements.
Requirements
- State of Florida Firefighter certification
- State of Florida Paramedic certification (for Fire Medic positions)
- Passing score on the National Testing Network entry-level written exam
- Passing the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test)
Hiring process
- Take the National Testing Network entry-level written exam (practice at fireteamtest.com)
- Pass the CPAT physical ability test
- Scores are automatically forwarded to Clearwater Fire & Rescue and placed on the eligibility list
- Submit an application through myclearwater.com with firefighter and paramedic certifications attached
Benefits
The city offers a full benefits package including a defined-benefit pension for high-risk employees (retirement eligibility at 20 years of service with a 2.75% multiplier per year of service).
What certifications do I need to become a Clearwater firefighter?
Applicants need a State of Florida Firefighter certification, and Fire Medic positions require a State of Florida Paramedic certification. Valid certifications must be attached to your application.
How does the hiring and testing process work?
Clearwater hires through the National Testing Network. You take an entry-level written exam (practice at fireteamtest.com) and pass the CPAT physical ability test; passing scores are forwarded to the department and placed on its eligibility list.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted online through the City of Clearwater's careers portal at myclearwater.com, via the Join Clearwater Fire & Rescue page, with your firefighter and paramedic certifications attached.
What is the work schedule?
Fire Operations personnel work a shift schedule of roughly 24 hours on and 48 hours off (about a 53-hour work week).
What specialized teams does the department have?
Clearwater Fire & Rescue is an all-hazards, ALS agency with a Marine Response Team, Special Operations Response Team, Technical Rescue Team, and Dive Team, plus Clearwater Beach Patrol.
How large is the department?
The department has eight fire stations and more than 200 personnel, carries a Class 1 ISO rating, and responds to over 45,000 calls a year across about 40.7 square miles.